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FSU Football: Was Cam Akers best running back in ACC in 2017?

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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FSU football running back Cam Akers had one of the best seasons by a true freshman in ‘Noles history in 2017.

FSU football went seemingly forever without a 1,000 yard rusher at running back after Warrick Dunn accomplished the feat in the 90’s, but Cam Akers became the third back to rush for 1,000 yards since 2013.

Devonta Freeman and Dalvin Cook broke through that barrier with Cook setting the FSU freshman rushing record in 2014. It was like he was expected to break Cook’s record.

He broke the freshman rushing record held by Cook, but his feat seem overshadowed by a season with huge failed expectations as a team.

Just how good was Akers’ freshman season? One site says he graded out as the best running back in the ACC Conference.

That’s high praise as Akers had the fourth most rushing yards as a running back in the conference. He was behind true freshman running back AJ Dillon at Boston College who ran for 1,589 yards.

NC State’s junior back Nyheim Hines finished with 1,112 rushing yards, and Georgia Tech’s sophomore back KirVonte Benson finished with 1,053 rushing yards.

When it came to total yards, Akers was also fourth with 1,141 total yards from scrimmage. He was behind Dillon, Hines and Miami’s sophomore running back Travis Homer who finished with 1,185 total yards from scrimmage.

Hines (5.7) and Homer (6.5) also averaged slightly more yards per play than Akers (5.4).

Thoughts

It could be argued Akers was a more complete running back then A.J. Dillon who didn’t have a single reception on the year and had 106 more carries (300 total) on the season.

He also played against a tougher schedule and didn’t have a consistent passing attack all season. Hines had the benefit of playing with Ryan Finley who could have got drafted if he left after this season.

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Travis Homer played against a relatively weak schedule with Miami. I’m not sure how Pro Football Focus issues their grades, but it’s clear there’s a case to be made for Akers to be considered the best running back in the ACC in 2017.

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